Nebraska Sends a Message: Huskers Blow Out Oregon, Stay Perfect at 17-0
LINCOLN, Neb. - What Nebraska did Tuesday night wasn’t just impressive - it was historic. The Huskers didn’t just beat Oregon, they dismantled them.
A 90-55 final score marked the largest margin of victory in a Big Ten game in program history. For Dana Altman, a Nebraska native who’s coached against the Cornhuskers 30 times in his career, this one stung the most.
And for Nebraska? Just another night in a dream season that’s starting to feel very real.
Now 17-0 overall and 6-0 in conference play, the No. 8-ranked Huskers are no longer a feel-good surprise. They’re a legitimate Big Ten title contender - and maybe more.
A Statement Win
Oregon came into Lincoln hoping to slow down the Huskers’ momentum. Instead, they walked into a buzzsaw.
Nebraska’s offense was relentless, their defense suffocating, and their energy contagious. And they did it all without one of their most important pieces playing his usual role.
Center Rienk Mast, the 24-year-old Dutchman at the heart of Nebraska’s offensive system, was limited to just 17 minutes due to foul trouble and finished with five points. But the Huskers didn’t blink. They simply adjusted - and then exploded.
They knocked down 17 threes, just one shy of the school record. Pryce Sandfort led the charge with 28 points, and his postgame comment summed it up perfectly: “The rims looked like an ocean.”
Freshman standout Frager added 23 points, including seven triples and a thunderous dunk that had Pinnacle Bank Arena rocking. His performance wasn’t just electric - it was another sign he’s emerging as one of the top freshmen in the country.
Defense, Depth, and Dominance
Sam Hoiberg, the coach’s son, set the tone on defense with six steals. Jamarques Lawrence, who had torched Indiana for 27 points just days earlier, shifted gears and became the steady hand running the offense.
Berke Buyuktencel took a shot to the jaw and responded by firing up the crowd. Former walk-on Cale Jacobsen came off the bench and delivered hustle, poise, and timely buckets.
This team plays with an edge - and it’s not just flash. It’s substance.
It’s execution. It’s maturity.
Tied at 28 late in the first half, Nebraska ripped off a 14-2 run to close the half. Then they came out of the locker room and put the game away, extending the lead to 17 in just over a minute. They turned defense into offense all night, scoring 34 points off turnovers and second-chance opportunities.
“They played harder than us, out-fought us at every turn,” Altman admitted afterward. His Ducks were without star point guard Jackson Shelstad, but even with him, it’s hard to imagine the outcome being much different.
Hoiberg’s Huskers Are Built to Last
Fred Hoiberg has this group clicking - and not just on the court. There’s a cohesion and confidence that’s hard to fake.
It’s the kind of chemistry that shows up in big moments and doesn’t flinch under pressure. And it’s why Hoiberg is firmly in the conversation for national coach of the year.
This isn’t just about talent. It’s about buy-in.
It’s about a group that’s been through struggles and come out tougher. Nebraska’s core includes four seniors, three juniors, and one fearless freshman in Frager.
That blend of experience and youth is paying dividends.
Hoiberg, who’s been through NCAA Tournament runs as both a player and coach - and has NBA experience to boot - knows how to manage the emotional arc of a long season. After Tuesday’s win, he posed a simple question to his team in the locker room: “Are you satisfied?”
Not one hand went up.
The Road Ahead
There’s a long way to go. The Big Ten is a grind, and at some point, Nebraska will face adversity.
An off night, a tough road environment, a hot-shooting opponent - it’s coming. But this team looks ready for it.
They’ve won 20 straight at home over the past two seasons, and they’ve got seven more Big Ten games at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tuesday night was the first game back with students on campus, and the building responded with the kind of energy that turns a good team into a great one.
There were no empty seats. No doubt.
No fear. Just belief - and a whole lot of noise.
Even coaches who’ve taken tough losses to Nebraska this season are starting to recognize what’s happening. After a 30-point loss in December, Wisconsin’s Greg Gard voiced his frustration.
His team has since rebounded with wins at Michigan and Minnesota. Illinois’ Brad Underwood demanded more from his squad after a home loss to the Huskers.
The Illini haven’t lost since.
Nebraska’s not just beating teams - they’re forcing them to get better.
A New Era?
This program has never won a game in the NCAA Tournament. That’s the shadow that still hangs over it. But if this version of the Huskers keeps playing like this, that drought might not just end - it might be shattered.
Altman said it himself: “They’re really good. They’re really connected offensively and defensively. That’s a big difference from some of their previous teams.”
The narrative is changing. Nebraska isn’t crashing back to Earth - they’re still climbing. And they’re doing it with a style that’s hard to match: fast, fearless, and fundamentally sound.
“We’ve built leads before and let teams back in,” Hoiberg said. “Not this time.”
Another box checked. Another statement made.
And if you’re still doubting Nebraska? You haven’t been paying attention.